Evil Ways (Santana song)

1969 single by Santana From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Evil Ways" is a song made famous by the American rock band Santana from their 1969 debut album Santana. It was written by Clarence "Sonny" Henry and originally recorded by jazz percussionist Willie Bobo on his 1967 album Bobo Motion. The lyrics of the song are written in simple verse form.[3]

B-side"Waiting"
ReleasedDecember 30, 1969[1]
RecordedMay 1969
Quick facts Single by Santana, from the album Santana ...
"Evil Ways"
Single by Santana
from the album Santana
B-side"Waiting"
ReleasedDecember 30, 1969[1]
RecordedMay 1969
Genre
Length3:54 (album version)
3:01 (single version)
LabelColumbia
SongwriterClarence "Sonny" Henry
ProducersBrent Dangerfield, Santana
Santana singles chronology
"Jingo"
(1969)
"Evil Ways"
(1969)
"Black Magic Woman"
(1970)
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Released as a single in late 1969, it became Santana's first Top 40 hit in the US, peaking at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of March 21, 1970. Gregg Rolie performs the lead vocals and plays a Hammond organ solo in the middle section. The double-time coda includes a guitar solo performed by Carlos Santana, who also sings backing vocals.

Other notable recordings and samples

Johnny Mathis released the song as a single in 1970. It made the Cash Box survey at number 118, and also appeared on MOR music surveys in Billboard (number 30)[4] and Record World.

Erroneous credit

On first pressings of both Santana's debut album and the single release, the songwriting credit was given to Jimmie Zack. Zack was a minor rockabilly artist out of the Midwest who recorded a song with the same title in 1960, credited as Jimmie Zack and the Blues Rockers. It was not the same song as recorded by Santana, however.

Charts

More information Chart (1970), Peak position ...
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References

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